tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67890955494836012372014-12-29T20:36:57.443-06:00Birthblessed!Parenting for life~ "[Jesus said] I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15806916118434752130noreply@blogger.comBlogger440125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-59423859242284542052013-01-02T10:39:00.002-06:002013-01-02T10:39:36.617-06:00No really, I *am* an introvert.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width_scaled/hash/f1/17/f1172a0f773b942c11c1d905ca5981a6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width_scaled/hash/f1/17/f1172a0f773b942c11c1d905ca5981a6.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Available at zazzle.com</td></tr></tbody></table>This picture is going around Facebook today. &nbsp;Lately I've seen lots of posts about introverts, and some of them made me go "Oh! I get it now! I'm an introvert." &nbsp;The confusion has come up because I am not shy, and I do like to open my home to people. &nbsp;Sometimes lots of people. &nbsp;I have 7 &nbsp;kids, so right there is already a good number of people, right? <br /><br />Last week I took my girls to see Cirque du Soleil for a matinee, and I am telling you, it took the entire evening to stim down. It's not like I had tics or anything you could put your finger on... I just wanted to be alone. In my room. The girls were so excited all they wanted to do was TALK about the show. &nbsp;On the other hand, I just wanted to be alone to process the art quietly.<br /><br />It took years of marriage for Jeff to figure out that when we are together and I'm silent, it's to his credit and a compliment. &nbsp;When I am in a large group and I am talkative, it is because I am stressed out- or I am reciting a script in my head that just plays automatically. When I am in a large group and quiet, it's because I am stressed out. When I am with just one or two people, I can deal with THAT. But eventually, even that will wear me out. And I will find a quiet place.<br /><br />So back to the picture. &nbsp;The Facebook post <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/january-2-world-introvert-day">is proclaiming Introvert Day</a>. The premise is that after a long season of parties, the introvert can celebrate the need to plan and do nothing. &nbsp;What did I do on this day? &nbsp;I woke at 4:30 a.m. to the phone call of a friend in distress, and sat with her for 4 hours until I was pretty sure she was ok on her own for a while. &nbsp;Then I remembered to invite someone over for dinner. &nbsp;Each night this week. <br /><br />So maybe I'm some kind of hybrid introvert-extravert? &nbsp;Ha- no. &nbsp;I like to plan and do things for others and make them comfortable- and I love to celebrate different types of people and cultures and share with them. But when it's done, I go back to my &nbsp;little hidey hole until my energy is recharged. The key to knowing whether you are an introvert is, <i><a href="http://www.carlkingdom.com/10-myths-about-introverts">What is your energy source?</a>&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i>So what are you? &nbsp;Energy from people or energy from alone-ness? Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-26559793030905403722012-12-14T08:00:00.000-06:002012-12-14T08:00:07.716-06:00Mama, give yourself some grace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqIsmOT1JDI/UMlHkdwv37I/AAAAAAAAA68/IyXLNKl8hxE/s1600/Decbday06+109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqIsmOT1JDI/UMlHkdwv37I/AAAAAAAAA68/IyXLNKl8hxE/s200/Decbday06+109.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Oh, I know it. &nbsp;I know how you feel like "so much is riding on these tires." &nbsp;It's not like you are simply trying out a recipe ahead of the party so you can make sure it works, right? <br /><br />These are PEOPLE ferpeetssake. &nbsp;What if you do something WRONG? What if you aren't good enough? &nbsp;What if you SCREW IT UP?<br /><br />Mama, &nbsp;ACCEPT. &nbsp;Accept yourself, and accept the little people who were put into your loving care by the hand of God/Fate/blind luck. &nbsp;Mistakes will happen, so don't be all surprised as if you expected everything to be all Bewitched. You can't just wrinkle your nose at this and expect everything to be cleaned up with a bow tied on top.<br /><br />REST. &nbsp;From the start: sleep when the babies sleep, blah blah blah. &nbsp;But also, just rest your mind. Nothing will be solved by fretting. So rest. Trust your intuition, trust natural consequences, trust that you really didn't get a dud. &nbsp;It's ok to rest and relax.<br /><br />GOYB. &nbsp;You really can't do this sitting down. And you really can't do this if you are really focused on escaping. &nbsp;Escapism is not parenting. (I know, I tried it.)<br /><br />LAUGH. &nbsp;Go ahead. &nbsp;It IS funny. Even when they smash oatmeal into their hair. Or dump it on the floor and lick it up.<br /><br />CRY. When you need to. But not in front of them too much, it freaks them out, and they need to know you're strong enough to keep them safe. So sometimes we have to fake-it-til-we-make-it.<br /><br />REACH OUT. &nbsp;This is not an individual medley, it's a relay. Find partners, make a tribe. Quit laughing at whatserface for saying "it takes a village" because we all know it's true.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div>You are doing a good job. &nbsp;We can only do what we can do on any given day. This isn't a competition. So when you're trying to figure out who to blame, give yourself some grace, OK?<br /><br /><br />Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-35714701917416205432012-12-12T18:39:00.000-06:002012-12-12T18:40:12.487-06:00Seven Kids: Conflict Resolution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NW6527Y6W8U/UMkjJ_AKNtI/AAAAAAAAA6k/Qb5P5gVpUWs/s1600/530359_10152318593725397_825639587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NW6527Y6W8U/UMkjJ_AKNtI/AAAAAAAAA6k/Qb5P5gVpUWs/s320/530359_10152318593725397_825639587_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I have had moms from different circles in my life lately ask me questions about how to deal with conflict at home: &nbsp;bickering, holding on to cluttery "treasures," and defying expectations. &nbsp;Here are 7 ways I deal with conflict in our home:<br /><br />1. &nbsp;"Do you really want that? &nbsp;Is it contributing to your happiness and well-being?" &nbsp;It's helpful to teach our kids to evaluate how they can choose healthful interactions with other people and things in their life. This question applies when there is an argument between siblings, when the plastic restaurant toys are taking over the floor, or when the teenager stays out too late.<br /><br />2. &nbsp;"Take a break." Sometimes this comes out as "Get a grip", "Suck it up", or "Really?" &nbsp;Sometimes even, "Earth calling, welcome to the real world."<br /><br />3. &nbsp;"Try again." &nbsp;If at first you don't succeed, try try again. It's an oldie, but a goodie.<br /><br />4. &nbsp;Thanks to the internet, we have also started using "First world problem." &nbsp;This is the equivalent of our mothers' telling us, back in the day, "There are starving kids in Africa."<br /><br />5. &nbsp;"It's ok, I love you. &nbsp;Nothing you do, and nothing you fail to do, will make me love you any more or any less. I love you because you are mine, not because of what you can do for me." &nbsp;This is grace.<br /><br />6. &nbsp;House rules. &nbsp;"This is a safe house. &nbsp;So if you are doing something that is unsafe for you or others, you just have to stop." Period.<br /><br />7. &nbsp;"In our house we do joy. We do mistakes. We do Forgiveness. &nbsp;We do fun. We do loveliness. &nbsp;And we do second chances. &nbsp;Let's all remember that, and extend it to everyone."Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-87235334451331364162012-12-05T17:59:00.000-06:002012-12-05T20:48:52.057-06:00Hey I failed- but after a WAY long wait, here it is!I couldn''t get this rafflecopter thing to work. &nbsp;And what's worse, I couldn't even tell who even entered the drawing. [Not to mention it keeps making my computer hang up so I have to do a hard reboot. Ugh.]<br /><br />But tell you what. &nbsp;A little persistence goes a LONG way. &nbsp;Haha.<br /><br />Since you all had to be so patient, I picked two winners.<br /><br /><br /><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5a42c81/" id="rc-5a42c81" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br /><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br /><br /><br />Those ladies have beautiful work, and I hope you think of them next time you need custom paperwork done. &nbsp;However, Rafflecopter I can't recommend.Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-87941628829050071852012-11-05T07:30:00.000-06:002012-11-12T00:22:21.091-06:00Honeymoon STILL in progress<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPyfF0ert2Y/UHWqibQP01I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/PYsG9XsqCd8/s1600/il_570xN.342304598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPyfF0ert2Y/UHWqibQP01I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/PYsG9XsqCd8/s320/il_570xN.342304598.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/53121181/do-not-disturb-honeymoon-in-progress">Double Trouble Designs, on Etsy</a></td></tr></tbody></table>When I was a kid, my parents totally hid their intimacy. Therefore, we kids got the impression that one's sexual life ended when one was married and had kids. In fact, the lack of show drove home the point that the media made-- that if you want to have any sex life at all, you need to start NOW in high school because once you are past your mid twenties, sex is over. I mean, even in movies old people didn't kiss. (That has changed somewhat in the last ten years PTL)<br /><br />As my children were growing up I contemplated how the social mores I picked up played a part in promiscuity in teens and young 20s. I pinpointed the above lesson that had been inadvertently taught me. And I decided that I had to give my kids a totally different message.<br /><br />Who goes on regular dates? Who is seen going to bed together? In your home, is it only the glamorous movie stars who all look perfectly forever 21? &nbsp;Or is it mom and dad? Every night. Once mom and dad have gone to bed and shut the door, someone better be on fire if you disturb them for at least the first hour.&nbsp;The kids see that married people have the best, most fulfilling sex lives.<br /><br />We have always had a "nap" on Sunday afternoons (and most of the time we really sleep). We told the children that coarse, rude joking and laughing about sex was disrespectful and childish. We have a family bedroom with our 8 yo and 6yo still, and my 13yo daughter regularly invites her sisters to come have a sleepover in her room as she wiggles her eyebrows at her dad and I, wink wink nudge nudge.<br /><br />Seeing our sex life as their sex education-- they don't know any specifics of what we do or how we do it, but they know that this is what adults who are happily married spend their time doing-- gives me a certain purpose too. As a wife, this is what I'm teaching my daughters a wife IS. I can't use sex as a weapon against my husband. I can't complain about their dad, disrespect him, dishonor him. I am a model! I want them to have great marriages, so I model it for them. I therefore end up having a great marriage, too.<br /><br />We are coming up on our 20th anniversary this year, and our honeymoon is STILL in progress. We are planning a Second Honeymoon trip to Europe for late winter.&nbsp;I was looking on the web for a great photo to go with this post, and came across Double Trouble Designs. &nbsp;They have beautiful work-- custom invites and door hangers. &nbsp;I contacted them and asked if we could have a "Honeymoon STILL in progress" door hanger, and if maybe they'd participate in a GIVEAWAY with me. &nbsp;The ladies were super nice and helpful, and look what they made me:<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFEzmJmEvzo/UJFF7abMO3I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/7lpZl9Zhqq4/s1600/still.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFEzmJmEvzo/UJFF7abMO3I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/7lpZl9Zhqq4/s320/still.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>And this is the giveaway. &nbsp;You can have one of these old married peoples' door knockers, too. <br /><br /><br /><br /><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5a42c81/" id="rc-5a42c81" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br /><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br /><br /><br /><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-1660663128775046622012-10-31T10:18:00.000-05:002012-10-31T10:18:27.044-05:00Monster Mash of a Post!Happy Halloween! &nbsp;As October, a wonderfully busy month, comes to its much-anticipated end, I have a stew of ideas to share with you!<br /><br />GLEANING! &nbsp;There is an article on NPR that explains it well, so I'll send you <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/01/20/133059889/gleaning-a-harvest-for-the-needy-by-fighting-waste">there</a>. This fall I was hooked up with The Society of Saint Andrew, <a href="http://endhunger.org/">endhunger.org</a>. The kids and I went on an apple glean, after which we delivered 70 lbs of apples to the Kansas City Indian Center, 70 lbs of apples to a soup kitchen, and even got to bring home 30 lbs of apples for ourselves. &nbsp;I told a friend about it, and she and her kids participated in a glean as well. &nbsp;Then there was a sweet potato glean, and this weekend is a pumpkin glean-- with a potential 400,000 lbs of pumpkin and squash that can be recovered. <br /><br />Another way I have been participating in gleaning is collecting grocery store cast-offs. &nbsp;Every week, the manager of the grocery goes through bread and produce and even his flowers, and bags up hundreds of pounds of food that is no longer sellable. &nbsp;It's sometimes just on the verge of expiration date. Sometimes it's just bruised, squashed, or otherwise ugly. &nbsp;A sister organization has a truck and picks up the cast-offs, and our people go through all the food and distribute it in an area that is considered an "urban food desert." Even with this, some of the food is "too ugly" for people to want, and I end up bringing a lot of it home to feed my family and neighbors. &nbsp;This past year has seen stale bread made into croutons and bread puddings and dressings, bananas that I take to the high school and just stand there next to the box, amazed at how excited a football player can get over a bunch of ripe bananas. And bruised apples and pears...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/photos/pear-butter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/photos/pear-butter.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Yesterday I peeled, chopped and stewed 40 lbs of bruised pears. &nbsp;My kids helped by doing 10 lbs of apples. &nbsp;They ate the apples for supper (with 4 loaves of bread discarded from a bakery/restaurant). &nbsp;My neighbor brought over a glass of wine and watched me, chatting with me. She told me the fruit would make my hands soft. &nbsp;She was right! &nbsp;I hope she wants one of these jars of <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pear_butter/">pear butter</a>!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-66509121895271922572012-10-25T13:17:00.000-05:002012-10-25T13:17:13.915-05:00Six years of teens has taught me this.1. &nbsp;Trac fone. &nbsp; You just <i>think</i> that adding them to your plan is cheaper.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSQpLldciL8/UImB-Vy18NI/AAAAAAAAA50/r96nIB-qZp4/s1600/IMG_6855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSQpLldciL8/UImB-Vy18NI/AAAAAAAAA50/r96nIB-qZp4/s320/IMG_6855.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />2. &nbsp;When you read an article online about teens, and you see the comment, "Where are the parents?!" just trust me: &nbsp;Driving their car up and down streets, looking for them, crying, and wondering who took that sweet little kid who wrote love letters to mommy and left this thing in its place.<br /><br />3. No matter how much food you buy, it won't be enough. &nbsp;So don't try to outdo yourself.<br /><br />4. Kids are amazed when you stay in the kitchen and cook something from scratch in front of them. &nbsp;Admit it, we all cook from scratch less than we should.<br /><br />5. No pop = no cavities. &nbsp;Try it.<br /><br />6. &nbsp;It's always something. &nbsp;Budget a cushion. &nbsp;Not just money, but time, too.<br /><br />Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-52010695423825177832012-10-18T11:25:00.000-05:002012-10-18T11:25:00.128-05:00My pet peeve, or why do I read the paper online and actually read the comments?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wouldn't it be nice if everyone who comments or writes Star articles about the KC schools were required to have actually been inside one of the schools? &nbsp;Talk to the children? &nbsp;Met the school board members? I have done all 3. &nbsp;</span><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all, the school board as a whole may have worked dysfunctionally in the past, but the current board is full of intelligent, passionate people. They could do much if only given a chance. It seems most of the usual commenters have forgotten that school board seats are volunteer positions, not careers. The people who run for school board are just like you- working day to day to make ends meet, take care of their families. &nbsp;But unlike you, they don't sit around for hours reading the Star online and getting into flame wars with other anonymous commenters while repeating the most filthy, vile, racist and classist rhetoric. No, the school board members looked at the situation and said Everybody Knows that Somebody Should Do The Important Things Nobody Would Do, Everybody Knows that Anybody Could Do All the Good Things That Nobody Did. So they have put time and effort, 20 hours a week or more, into attending meetings and wrestling with hard stuff and having their names smeared here, there and everywhere.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second of all, the children are just as incredible as any of yours. &nbsp;They care. They want to create a beautiful world -the majority of them. They don't use their challenges as excuses, they use them as reasons to aim higher. They are poets, scientists, artists. They are annoyed as heck by the few troublemaking students, too. They are really tired of the racial slurs they read about themselves.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Third, the schools are full of teachers who want to see things change- but for the most part their hands are tied. I've seen so much regulation it'd make a bureaucrat's head spin. &nbsp;They have so many rules they can't possibly enforce them all. &nbsp;I've seen a few teachers who seem to hate kids and are tired and defeated and burned out. &nbsp;I've seen children yelled at in demeaning ways as if they were dogs or cattle by a few teachers who need more support, counseling or training. &nbsp;I've seen more teachers who work 12-14 hours a day and cry over their kids, hold them to goals and help them reach them.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here is my pet peeve- &nbsp;people who complain about the school system but have never stepped foot in a building or lifted a finger to do anything. &nbsp;And the folks who ended up in the suburbs because of white flight - not only in the 60s, 70s and 80s but continuing today- really &nbsp;have no say in our schools. &nbsp;If you live out there and are not willing to live here, then you don't have any say. &nbsp;If you live here but you are not on the school board, District Advisory Committee or a member of a School Advisory Committee, then sit yourself down.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-26056484499810664962012-10-15T08:00:00.000-05:002012-10-15T08:00:20.073-05:00What I want you to remember (an open letter to my child)Children come and go in my life. &nbsp;I birthed 7, lost 4, and have had many more dart in and out on loan to me for various reasons. &nbsp;Pieces of my heart are reserved even for my university boarders and travelers resting. &nbsp;But none of the children ever stay. <br /><br />So, whether I've had you for 18 years or 18 hours, my children, this is what I want you to remember....<br /><br />You always have a safe place here.<br /><br />Always leave while you're still having fun.<br /><br />Dare to be different.<br /><br />We have two ears and two eyes but only one mouth.<br /><br />If you love something, set it free.<br /><br />Growth and change happen. Don't fight it.<br /><br />What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.<br /><br />Grammar saves lives.<br /><br />If you didn't learn anything today, it's your own fault.<br /><br />It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.<br /><br />Houseguests, like fish, start to smell after about three days.<br /><br />If you want to stay longer, be family, not a guest.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-56725248168174070522012-10-11T08:00:00.000-05:002012-10-11T08:00:14.343-05:00Bedwetting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHqoKatiSZs/UHWeuGyTgNI/AAAAAAAAA40/xALzOWDAwic/s1600/janet-leigh-pyscho-scream1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHqoKatiSZs/UHWeuGyTgNI/AAAAAAAAA40/xALzOWDAwic/s1600/janet-leigh-pyscho-scream1.jpg" /></a></div>Sweet, gentle mother, you have very big feelings about this thing that no one can control. And I don't blame you. Mine have things they cannot really control, and those things give me very big feelings too.<br /><br />You want him to control them, so you have big feelings. But something I had to tell myself---- REALLY, mama, do you REALLY believe he lives like this on purpose?<br /><br />If *I* have big feelings, what about him? He must have SO big feelings that he stuffs them and hides them behind a veil of "I don't care." <br /><br />Mama's job is modeling how we can confidently confide in the doctor, and the doctor will respond with compassion and the care to look into EVERY possibility and find a way to fix it if possible. Now, if you have had a different experience with the doctor so far, then you, mama, need to find a doctor that WILL give you this experience. Call ahead and tell the office manager, "I had this disappointing experience that did not help my son. I want to know which doctor in your practice will truly meet my son with compassion and help him fix this problem as soon as possible, at his age, now." Keep looking until you find the one who says, "You will find what you need with Dr. ____, let's set up an appointment right now." <br /><br />Ask for a REAL diabetes study, not just a simple fasting blood sugar. That is a good avenue to check, because moms of diabetic kids will tell you that <a href="http://forum.parentingdiabetickids.com/medical/nighttime-bedwetting-t17.0.html" target="_blank">high blood sugars are related to bedwetting</a>. YES, do the <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/26819-stop-bedwetting-alarm/" target="_blank">bed alarm</a>, I know some kids who were helped by that. I also know a kid who was helped by<a href="http://www.emedicinehealth.com/bedwetting/page9_em.htm" target="_blank"> drugs</a>. I also know a kid whose bedwetting was caused by <a href="http://www.e-radiography.net/radpath/v/vcr.htm" target="_blank">kidney reflux</a>.<br /><br />And right now, get on Craigslist and get a new mattress. You can often find perfectly good mattresses on Freecycle or the free section of CL. Take a good rope, you can tie a mattress to the top of your car, I've even done Queens that way. Then put your mattress out for the trash. Repeat as often as necessary to keep the room smelling fresh.<br /><br />It is, after all, what you would do for yourself, right?<br /><div><br /></div><div>[When you get a mattress, even new, look for signs of bedbugs in the seams. &nbsp;I always use my steam cleaner on any new piece of furniture I bring home from any source, because steam kills any insects/eggs hiding in the piece. I just spend a good amount of time, because you want to shoot the steam for at least 7 minutes to disinfect.]</div>Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-50898076603896900552012-07-30T16:00:00.000-05:002012-07-30T16:00:01.089-05:00Non-punitive survival tips for large families<br /><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" class="tborder" id="post4751529" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #eeeeff; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(242, 223, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(242, 223, 238); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(242, 223, 238); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(242, 223, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="alt1" id="td_post_4751529" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fdf8ff; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(238, 238, 255); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font: normal normal normal 10pt/normal verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><div id="post_message_4751529">I'm afraid to google this, because I don't want advice about training my kids harshly, but I need some friendly survival tips.<br /><br />I feel like our entire day is survival. Chores, homeschool, meals, bedtime. There isn't any extra time for necessary projects or outside activities. There's barely enough time for the basics.<br /><br />Right now, I don't really trust any of my kids with the dishes. dd gets nervous with soapy things, and the boys are hyper impulsive little monkeys...I can't figure out any way to make the dishes someone else's chore and still HAVE dishes without them getting broken, or switching to plastic. So, I feel the need to do them myself.<br /><br />Laundry is in the basement. I can sometimes get my kids to transfer the load from washer to dryer, but not carry it up or down.<br /><br />I'd like to go for a walk down to the library today, but for some reason dd1 was super tired today.&nbsp;So, she took a nap.&nbsp;Had to make her take a bath to be presentable. So there goes another long while. I need to dig through the clean baskets to get all five of us dressed, but I also badly need to start a load or two of laundry just to get it done, and today's dishes, and both of those will probably happen during the toddler's nap, because she's at the stage where she's climbing on chairs and tables if I'm not right there picking her off, and none of the big kids seem to be quite big enough to safely pluck her off...<br /><br />So, that brings us to trying to do chores during toddler naptime, which means being stuck here until afterward. At which point, dh will be home, so add another half hour or so to say hi, then it's dinner time, then bedtime...wait, what happened to our walk down to the library on a nice summer day???<br /><br />Tips??</div><div id="post_message_4751529"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" class="tborder" id="post4751529" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #eeeeff; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(242, 223, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(242, 223, 238); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(242, 223, 238); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(242, 223, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: black;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td class="alt1" id="td_post_4751529" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fdf8ff; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-right-color: rgb(238, 238, 255); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; font: normal normal normal 10pt/normal verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><div><span style="color: teal;">11y&nbsp;<img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/community/images/smilies/purplesmile.gif" style="vertical-align: middle;" title="another smile" />,6.5y&nbsp;<img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/community/images/smilies/kidsmile.gif" style="vertical-align: middle;" title="boy smiling" />,5y&nbsp;<img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/community/images/smilies/kidsmile.gif" style="vertical-align: middle;" title="boy smiling" />,1.5y&nbsp;<img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/community/images/smilies/purplesmile.gif" style="vertical-align: middle;" title="another smile" /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />First of all, you have to be realistic. &nbsp;The age of your youngest? That number is the maximum number of things you can possibly get done in a day. &nbsp;Don't expect yourself to do more work than is humanly possible. <br /><br />Do you have a little money to help simplify? You need a trip to the thrift store and the hardware store.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ak1.ostkcdn.com/images/products/P12414587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ak1.ostkcdn.com/images/products/P12414587.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a freestanding plate rack.<br />I have an Ikea one that mounts to the wall.</td></tr></tbody></table>1. &nbsp;Take the kids to the thrift store, and have them each pick out one plate, bowl, cup, fork and spoon. &nbsp;Go crazy and get a butter knife too. &nbsp;They can pick whatever plate suits their fancy, no matter what color it is. &nbsp;Get two dish pans. &nbsp;Put the dish pan in the sink, and fill it with 1" of water with soap. &nbsp;Put another dish pan in the sink, empty. &nbsp;Bring home the dishes and let them each wash their own dishes and put them on a plate rack. &nbsp;They'll take care of the one dish that they picked out and love. &nbsp;Your dishes can be reserved for when you have guests (who can then help you do dishes after dinner). I have a plate rack sitting right there; that is where they stay stored, so no putting away. When it's time to set the table, they choose their dishes from the plate rack (forks etc can go in a pencil cup next to the plate rack). After the meal they each wash their own dish and put it on the rack. &nbsp;<a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2010/01/small-changes.html" target="_blank">See my post</a> on washing dishes all day in only 1 pan of water. Make your own pencil cup out of a mug or an empty juice container that they glue popsicle sticks to, and decorate.<br /><br />2. &nbsp;You want your kids to bring laundry up and down the stairs? &nbsp;Go get a fixed <a href="http://www.ehow.com/list_5962469_household-uses-pulleys.html" target="_blank">pulley system and install it over the stairs</a>. &nbsp;Good luck keeping the kids away from moving things up and down the stairs. The boys in particular will forever move all your laundry for you, evermore, Amen.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/63/63b02e90-0f59-45a5-9df8-67008c80ea23_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/63/63b02e90-0f59-45a5-9df8-67008c80ea23_300.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make sure to get one that can handle 100 lbs.<br />Put at least two hooks hanging from it so your baskets don't tip over.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />3. &nbsp;Bathe the toddler in the kitchen sink. &nbsp;She gets to be up high (sensory experience that can take over climbing on the table), you don't hurt your back, it's small and tends to go faster and you can use the sprayer to rinse hair- or a plastic cup which should be right there available. &nbsp;If the kids washed the plates and there are forks and spoons in the sink, she can wash them, rinse them and put them in the pencil cup.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_rjgbnlPyRA/Ty3xaTIO1hI/AAAAAAAAaMk/aP4J-F_AS3U/s640/Ikea-Desk01-785039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_rjgbnlPyRA/Ty3xaTIO1hI/AAAAAAAAaMk/aP4J-F_AS3U/s320/Ikea-Desk01-785039.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite item in my laundry room, a desk from Ikea.</td></tr></tbody></table>4. &nbsp;As you pull clothes out of the dryer, fold them immediately and put each person's clothes in his own basket. &nbsp;If your pulley has a sling on it, or several hooks, the children can tote their basket upstairs to put their clothes away, then bring their basket back with any dirty clothes. &nbsp;Because of the pulley, they will not refuse because it will be too much fun... &nbsp;and you don't have to try to find 4 people's clothes in one basket, they each know where their own clothes are. &nbsp;Check out <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2010/12/seven-kids-seven-systems-system-one.html" target="_blank">this post on my family closet</a> when I had 3 boys ages 4-6.<br /><br />Want more? &nbsp;Read&nbsp;<a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/07/seven-kids-7-tips-for-surviving-littles.html" target="_blank">Seven Tips for Surviving Littles</a>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-74409415063075572232012-07-26T15:35:00.000-05:002012-10-31T11:35:51.493-05:00EIGHT kids go cross-country!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPIUAFXY76s/UBGjR5xNvHI/AAAAAAAAA2o/9AS9UZQSNTU/s1600/IMG_6886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPIUAFXY76s/UBGjR5xNvHI/AAAAAAAAA2o/9AS9UZQSNTU/s320/IMG_6886.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My wild and crazy partner in crime, we'll call her Janet, (cuz that's her name), met me in Colorado Springs a week or two ago, where we loaded up in my Big Honkin Van and took off for the PNW. My 15 yo permitted driver was chauffeur across Kansas...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9v0L2C8hdJo/UBGirqtYeXI/AAAAAAAAA2I/hGR9WHVj6Dc/s1600/IMG_6859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9v0L2C8hdJo/UBGirqtYeXI/AAAAAAAAA2I/hGR9WHVj6Dc/s1600/IMG_6859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9v0L2C8hdJo/UBGirqtYeXI/AAAAAAAAA2I/hGR9WHVj6Dc/s320/IMG_6859.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As we entered Utah from Wyoming, Janet was driving. Not recklessly. Just keeping in the pack of traffic. Then we got pulled over.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Going a little fast, aren't you?"&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Um, no. Just keeping with traffic."</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Nope, you were faster."</div><div style="text-align: left;">Really? That's why someone was right in front of us and we were able to pull over quickly after we saw his lights and started getting over?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh. OK. He took her license and my insurance and registration. &nbsp;As he walked away, the kids all protested, "You weren't speeding!"</div><div style="text-align: left;">The best we can figure is that the beat-up white van with Texas tags had been racially profiled. He let us off with a warning.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJwJJaKmA3s/UBGjL6wrAyI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/QOwdrV4rrF4/s1600/IMG_6868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJwJJaKmA3s/UBGjL6wrAyI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/QOwdrV4rrF4/s320/IMG_6868.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next stop was Boise, Idaho. Technically, I'm pretty sure it was Eagle. Met an internet friend for a picnic next to the river. Yes, we had a meet up in a van by the river. &nbsp;The kids HAD to get into the river. It was FREEZING. But they swam long after their lips were blue. As we left Boise, we found highway 20 into Central Oregon. &nbsp;See, Janet had met a man, we'll call him King of the Road, when she made a pit stop in Texas or New Mexico or southern Colorado or something (was it the same stop where my son nearly stepped on a rattlesnake? I'll have to steal her picture off FB), and he had told her about Glass Butte. Glass Butte or bust, for these homeschool mamas. We needed a place to stay the night and found-&nbsp;</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://www.cranehotsprings.com/Images%20April%202007/CrystalCraneHeader42007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cranehotsprings.com/">http://www.cranehotsprings.com/</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wb7WIu5cyc/UBGjRBNzYkI/AAAAAAAAA2g/uoiJLuwTZTo/s1600/IMG_6878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wb7WIu5cyc/UBGjRBNzYkI/AAAAAAAAA2g/uoiJLuwTZTo/s320/IMG_6878.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;We really could have stayed here longer, if Portland hadn't been calling us. I mean, literally, our friend from Portland kept texting, "are you here yet?"<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z8Cb0iRhecI/UBGjal5sgqI/AAAAAAAAA20/L1ELuog2yac/s1600/IMG_6893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z8Cb0iRhecI/UBGjal5sgqI/AAAAAAAAA20/L1ELuog2yac/s320/IMG_6893.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />So we made our way to Glass Buttes, where we rock-hounded a pillowcase full of OBSIDIAN. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QYneEvoN2f0/UBGjjBVugiI/AAAAAAAAA28/YY1A--yBRTI/s1600/IMG_6903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QYneEvoN2f0/UBGjjBVugiI/AAAAAAAAA28/YY1A--yBRTI/s320/IMG_6903.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We stopped to learn a little more of Oregon's geology since none of us had previously realized that it was high desert, volcanic etc. How did I get to be 42 without knowing that? <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fq3HQf9h7s/UBGjnTaKBWI/AAAAAAAAA3E/mlUWt-urnNM/s1600/IMG_6921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fq3HQf9h7s/UBGjnTaKBWI/AAAAAAAAA3E/mlUWt-urnNM/s320/IMG_6921.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Pretty soon we started to see the coastal mountains. We had been travelling two full days (thanks to driving straight through one night) and were ready to see the PNW.<br /><br /><div><div><span id="goog_1358523479"></span><span id="goog_1358523480"></span></div></div>Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-77384657173539266802012-07-11T08:00:00.000-05:002012-07-11T08:00:03.442-05:00Seven Kids: ShelvesJUBILEE! &nbsp;The idea was from the laws pertaining to the Sabbath, that every 7th year would be a Sabbath for the land and after 7 cycles the 50th year would be a huge Jubilee where everything was basically set to rights after a lifetime of struggling to keep things juggled. <br /><br />So back in '98 I was wading through toys, books, blocks, cars, clothes, VHS tapes, the paperboard covers for the VHS tapes that were NEVER on the VHS tapes... my boys were 5, 3, and 2 and I had a newborn girl in my arms. &nbsp;And it hit me- &nbsp;I needed a Sabbath from the clutter. And frankly, so did they.<br /><br />I outlined the idea to my man, and he was immediately on board. That is, he got shelving and lined the &nbsp;closet with shelves. &nbsp;I hung the clothes on the high bar and arranged the shelves with every toy the kids owned. &nbsp;All pieces to all games, sets, puzzles were verified. &nbsp;And outside the closet door, I set a simple tier of 3 shelves. &nbsp;One per child.&nbsp;And then I put a lock on the closet door and explained the rules to the boys.&nbsp;Like the land of the Israelites, this property was <a href="http://bible.us/lev25.23.nkjv" target="_blank">all God's</a>. &nbsp;For six days, they could own a portion and steward it well, but on the seventh day, the property would all be offered back to the closet in its wholeness, missing no pieces, and pass out of their ownership. <br /><br />Read: &nbsp;you get to pick 3 toys or a toy set from the closet and put it on your shelf. &nbsp;That is YOUR toy. &nbsp;You own it. For six days, if I find it on the floor, it is YOUR fault. &nbsp;If an argument erupts over who gets to play with it, the judge will find in YOUR favor. &nbsp;YOU choose how much to share. YOU make sure the pieces never get left on the floor. YOU put it away neatly on your shelf when you aren't playing with it. On the 7th day, the closet is opened, and YOU bring back your whole, complete toys/set. &nbsp;Then you get to choose something else for the next week.<br /><br />It was brilliant in its simplicity. &nbsp;For as long as I used the Jubilee Closet, there were no longer fights over toys. &nbsp;They learned that if they shared their toys, their brothers would share back. &nbsp;They were never overwhelmed with too much to clean up, it was clear who had to pick up what. &nbsp;The system worked so well for so long, that I thought they had a grip on keeping their room clean and removed the system. &nbsp;And we've had chaos ever since.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4sw9On0mtsQ/T_c-GS7Fq2I/AAAAAAAAA1k/BmiBNPWd41g/s1600/IMG_6796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4sw9On0mtsQ/T_c-GS7Fq2I/AAAAAAAAA1k/BmiBNPWd41g/s200/IMG_6796.jpg" width="150" /></a>So last week, my youngest girls got a taste of Jubilee Closet. &nbsp;They are 6 and 8 and hate cleaning their room. &nbsp;They have too much stuff, but don't really want to part with any of it. &nbsp;At the same time, it's so cluttered that they complain there is nothing to play with. <br /><br />So the A/C in the 3rd floor died and they had to move down to a guest room. &nbsp;They picked out 2 sets of toys to move down and put on the shelves in the guest room. &nbsp;One girl picked out AG dolls. The other girl picked out her horse collection. &nbsp;All week it's all they had. &nbsp;Every night they carefully arranged them on the shelves. &nbsp;Every day they played joyfully with the few toys they had to choose from. &nbsp;After about six days, they were ready to pack them away and perhaps pick out something different for the next week.<br /><br />They like Jubilee Closet. &nbsp;Why did I wait twelve years to re-instate it at my house?Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-56662626686169709362012-05-28T08:00:00.000-05:002012-05-28T08:00:03.124-05:00The Harrison Street Academic Consortium<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">A&nbsp;<b>consortium</b>&nbsp;is an&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voluntary_association" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Voluntary association">association</a>&nbsp;of two or more&nbsp;<a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individuals" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Individuals">individuals</a>,&nbsp;<a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companies" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Companies">companies</a>,&nbsp;<a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organizations" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Organizations">organizations</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Government">governments</a>&nbsp;(or any combination of these entities) with the objective of participating in a common activity or pooling their resources for achieving a common goal.<br /><i>Consortium</i>&nbsp;is a&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Latin">Latin</a>&nbsp;word, meaning '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partnership" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Partnership">partnership</a>, association or society' and derives from&nbsp;<i>consors</i>&nbsp;'<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partner" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Partner">partner</a>', itself from&nbsp;<i>con-</i>&nbsp;'together' and&nbsp;<i>sors</i>&nbsp;'fate', meaning&nbsp;<i><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owner" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Owner">owner</a>&nbsp;of means</i>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comrade" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Comrade">comrade</a></i>. (Wikipedia)</blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">I chose to call our homeschool a Consortium, because this is what we are- &nbsp;a group of individuals whose objective is to participate in a common activity, pool our resources, and achieve common goals. &nbsp;It is a disservice to my children to imply that they are passive occupants of a desk, slates for me to write upon or vessels for me to fill. &nbsp;Rather, my role is one of facilitator:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">There are a variety of definitions for&nbsp;<b>facilitator</b>:<ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"An individual who enables groups and organizations to work more effectively; to collaborate and achieve&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synergy" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Synergy">synergy</a>. He or she is a 'content neutral' party who by not taking sides or expressing or advocating a point of view during the meeting, can advocate for fair, open, and inclusive procedures to accomplish the group's work" - Doyle<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facilitator#cite_note-0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span>[</span>1<span>]</span></a></sup></li></ul><ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"One who contributes&nbsp;<i>structure</i>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<i>process</i>&nbsp;to interactions so groups are able to function effectively and make high-quality decisions. A helper and enabler whose goal is to support others as they achieve exceptional performance" - Bens<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facilitator#cite_note-1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a></sup></li></ul><ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"The facilitator's job is to&nbsp;<i>support everyone to do their best thinking and practice</i>. To do this, the facilitator encourages full participation, promotes mutual understanding and cultivates shared responsibility. By supporting everyone to do their best thinking, a facilitator enables group members to search for inclusive solutions and build sustainable agreements" - Kaner<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facilitator#cite_note-2" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0645ad;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; white-space: nowrap;">3</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">]</span></a>&nbsp; &nbsp;(Wikipedia)</sup></li></ul></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">I provide funding for material and experiential resources. &nbsp;I observe. &nbsp;Listening and watching are my evaluation tools. &nbsp;Listen twice as much as you talk. And actively pursue your own interests, learning your own new things every day. Start new hobbies. Pay attention to theirs. &nbsp;Become their "team mom" and actively improve your own connections.&nbsp;</span><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">When pressed, I define unschooling as allowing children as much freedom to learn in the world, as their parents can comfortably bear. The advantage of this method is that it doesn't require you, the parent, to become someone else, i.e. a professional teacher pouring knowledge into child-vessels on a planned basis. Instead you live and learn together, pursuing questions and interests as they arise and using conventional schooling on an on-demand basis, if at all. (Pat Ferenga, quoted by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.holtgws.com/unschooling.html">http://www.holtgws.com/unschooling.html</a>)</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JLm_aAt0CEk/T7qNSgqV9ZI/AAAAAAAAA04/Q_f169znp5g/s200/41EkXll+F-L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" /></div><br /><br />&nbsp;Aldrich's&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1608321169/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=birthblessed&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1608321169">Unschooling Rules: 55 Ways to Unlearn What We Know About Schools and Rediscover Education</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=birthblessed&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=1608321169" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">&nbsp;start with the really big 3-- &nbsp;learn to be, learn to do, learn to know. &nbsp;He succinctly explains what I was trying to get across in <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/03/unschooling-means-choosing-to-learn.html" target="_blank">this blog post</a>&nbsp;about giving kids the freedom to choose to learn and become self-determined.<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The greatest advantage for me has been that I have rediscovered the person I was and the person I wanted to be. &nbsp;Rather than working a job out of obligation or necessity, I have chosen a job that I can have passion about. &nbsp;The funny thing is, the discarded job was Motherhood and the beloved job is Motherhood.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br />Do you see ways in which you need to "loosen up" in your homeschooling? &nbsp;Do you see how you can welcome the use of "institutional schools" as part of your overall body of resources to get everywhere where they need to be? &nbsp;What thoughts do you have? Share them!<br /><br /></span>Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-45256306164801093822012-05-21T08:00:00.000-05:002012-05-21T08:00:07.545-05:00We didn't do school today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yCEaB-9ryTA/T7nOOwWDxfI/AAAAAAAAA0c/5e3WBiU05PM/s1600/465237_10151572906240397_501755396_23864983_1664266080_o-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yCEaB-9ryTA/T7nOOwWDxfI/AAAAAAAAA0c/5e3WBiU05PM/s320/465237_10151572906240397_501755396_23864983_1664266080_o-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">My kids don't have much bookwork required, and today I told them they weren't ALLOWED to do it because we had planting to do. We're getting behind and it has to be done. So they h</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">ad to DIG all afternoon. I wanted to turn part of the lawn into a potato bed-- my neighbor suggested sheet mulching and just making a hole for each potato. But I wasn't sure if the soil was compacted so my other neighbor suggested using a shovel just to poke and see what the soil felt like.<br /><br />I'm glad I followed that advice because I hit rock. And more rock. And more rock. And more!!!! We ended up pulling out an entire wheelbarrow full of rocks, bricks, shards of pottery, shards of glass, rusty nails.... we did get the potatoes planted before dance though!<br /><br />As we were digging guess what happened? Someone brought up mining and they started assigning prices to each treasure according to size and rarity, and keeping tallies. They compared it to being 49ers, and we started talking about how we got to CA-- land or sea-- and what hardships we'd have endured each way. It's been over a year since we studied American History, by the way. We talked about archeology, sociology. They found snails and looked up how to feed and keep snails. Then they build castles in the sandbox for the snails to play on, and raided my compost pile in the kitchen for food scraps......<br /><br />Hahaha and I told them they weren't allowed to do school today. ;)</span></span>Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-30936232414321683102012-05-09T12:29:00.000-05:002012-05-09T12:29:32.350-05:00Introducing my family<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUmswL-DgFk/T6qpSrJbrgI/AAAAAAAAAzw/1dezvx3BjEE/s1600/fam_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUmswL-DgFk/T6qpSrJbrgI/AAAAAAAAAzw/1dezvx3BjEE/s320/fam_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I have 7 kids of my own, but 9 live here right now plus I am the support "family" person for a boy living in a residential treatment center about a 25 minute drive away. &nbsp;My "extra" boys are 18, 18, and 16.<br /><br />My oldest child, 18yo, wanted to play football so went to a charter in 9-10th grade, but I pulled him out for a gap year because I felt it was moving too fast for him, he was immature and making poor choices. &nbsp;During the gap year, we ended up moving to MO. When we arrived he enrolled in the magnet AP/IB school as an 11th grader. He's graduating next week. He's only 33rd in his class because the Valedictorian has a 5.2gpa and 40 other kids have a 4.0. He only has a 3.59 because he chose to blow off classes whose teachers he didn't like. &nbsp;He has joined Marine Reserves and goes to boot camp in August. &nbsp;This summer he will intern at the mayor's office. &nbsp;Next January he will head to William Jewell College to double major in History and Secondary Ed.<br /><br />My 16yo boy is an artist. He started attending charters in 5th grade and upon arrival to MO enrolled in the fine arts magnet program. &nbsp;He's just finishing up his junior year there, but we are withdrawing him a week early and asking for his transcripts, which I will rewrite as a homeschooler and add the English 4 credit he's lacking based on the 34 he got on the ACT. I will issue him a diploma on May 19. &nbsp;He's registered at Metro Comm College to pursue the AA in Graphic Design. &nbsp;He's been interning for nearly a year at MYARTSKC, working in the screen print shop. &nbsp;He's a musician,&nbsp;plays acoustic and electric guitar,&nbsp;and songwriter with two different bands (two different sounds).<br /><br />My 15yo tried a half day charter in 3rd and a different charter for a semester of 5th. Then he tried the fine arts magnet school for 8th, and even tried a semester of the AP/IB magnet in 9th. &nbsp;All of those varied educational experiences solidly confirmed for him that "There's no place like home." &nbsp;He never felt challenged in school, felt like it was nothing but a day-long social club that required him to get up way too early and stay way too late. He said that many hours of being with stupid kids was a headache. &nbsp;Haha. &nbsp;He's going through Khan Academy videos and Hippocampus.org classes, and using Mango language through the library to continue the Mandarin he started at the magnet school. &nbsp;He also has a "garage band" (but they play in the basement, not the garage) for which he's the drummer and has a production company and makes movies.<br /><br />My 13yo is my oldest girl. &nbsp;She is interested in fashion design and currently designs and sews outfits for her American Girl dolls, herself and her sisters; she also makes jewerly. &nbsp;She builds apartment rooms for the dolls out of cardboard boxes and is practicing Elements of Design in her work. &nbsp;She is starting a Figure Drawing study to enhance her fashion design. &nbsp;She has taught herself to repair American Girl dolls. &nbsp;She takes 3 hours of dance classes a week and is a junior teacher for the 3-6yo group for another 2h/w and a 6-8yo group for 2h/w. &nbsp;In her spare time she cleans the neighbor's home. &nbsp;All of these skills combined equal to an income of up to $200/mo, which she meticulously tracks, budgets and spends. &nbsp;All that plus she is using Mango lang to learn French, finishing up the last of the Key-To math books and preparing for Algebra, and writes poetry and stories which she submits to every contest she can find, and she writes scripts and creates both stop-motion and regular videos with her dolls and publishes them to a You Tube channel.<br /><br />My 10yo plays Legos. &nbsp;When he's not playing Lego, he's using Lego Creator. &nbsp;Or making stop-motion videos of his Legos. &nbsp;Or playing Minecraft, playing in the sandbox, riding his Ripstick, playing with buddies on the block, and climbing trees. &nbsp;He has a regular afternoon job playing with a neighbor's puppy/letting her out to toilet for which he earns $1/day. &nbsp;He's saving his money for a Touch.<br /><br />My 8yo and nearly-6yo are girls. &nbsp;They eat breakfast and clean up, empty the dishwasher, feed the cats, fold the towels and put them away, then check in with me. Once they get the nod of approval, they spend the rest of the day doing who knows what. I rarely see them unless I bribe them with something good. &nbsp;They have a whole world to create with toys and dolls and the backyard and the sandbox. &nbsp;My 8yo is actually spending 2 weeks with the grands in Texas and my poor 5yo hardly knows what to do with herself so she's been my mini-me this week.<br />Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-68479206814695193472012-03-14T08:00:00.000-05:002012-03-14T08:00:14.718-05:00Homemade toaster pastries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DaGlRFQJAUE/T155ViFap5I/AAAAAAAAAvo/1ehU5vZwryc/s1600/IMG_5553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DaGlRFQJAUE/T155ViFap5I/AAAAAAAAAvo/1ehU5vZwryc/s320/IMG_5553.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>My kids love Pop Tarts. Who doesn't? <br /><br />But it's one of the things we all agreed to give up in order to sponsor a Compassion child.<br /><br />But one thing I do have is a <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.biz/janmauzy?page=products-detail&amp;categoryId=99&amp;productId=33&amp;itemId=1195" target="_blank">Cut and Seal</a>. So I tried this. &nbsp;I've been doing it for months now, and so far no fires. &nbsp;Proceed at your own risk.<br /><br />Simply spread a slice of bread with a favored filling- we like strawberry preserves, grape jelly, peanut butter and of course Nutella. &nbsp;Put another slice of bread on top, and use your Cut and Seal. &nbsp;My kids will eat the crusts while their "pop tart" toasts- if yours won't, save the crusts to make croutons or stuffing.<br /><br />Once the "pop tart" is lightly toasted, I spread it with just a little flavored cream cheese, or butter, or drizzle it with honey. And because I want my kids to always remember the wonderful things we HAD rather than the things they didn't have, I put sprinkles on top. &nbsp;(Besides, Aldi has been marking down sprinkles ever since Christmas til they're practically giving them away.)<br /><br /><br />Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-75177890968309222382012-03-12T17:29:00.000-05:002012-03-12T17:29:56.930-05:00Just because<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VH0gcsAviyE/T154c-luqMI/AAAAAAAAAvg/G524HzC82xE/s1600/IMG_5507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VH0gcsAviyE/T154c-luqMI/AAAAAAAAAvg/G524HzC82xE/s200/IMG_5507.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5yo loves to take photos, <br />so here we are making silly faces.</td></tr></tbody></table>Why are some things important or interesting or entertaining to me? <br /><br />Just because they are important or interesting or entertaining to people that I care about.<br /><br />The hardest for me is fishing. My 10 year old wants to go fishing. SO BADLY. &nbsp;For the rest of us, spending an afternoon fishing is just under "gouge out our eyeballs with a spoon" on our list of Things To Do. I try to distract the 10 year old by letting him climb on top of the cedar trellis- even giving him paper so he can draw out plans to convert it into a bona fide clubhouse. But he still wants to go fishing.<br /><br />I want food to magically grow in my yard. My man loves me, so he's helping me with little things like installing rain collection barrels. But I can't get the kids too interested in spreading manure. &nbsp;My man asked if some of the manure could be used to fertilize the lawn, so I gleefully spread it all over the new grass while my children watched in horror and vowed not to walk barefoot on the lawn again for at least a month.<br /><br />My man did not feel like taking a bike ride yesterday, but the 5yo begged, so off they went. &nbsp;And so it goes. &nbsp;Cookies, tator tot cassarole, doll dressmaking. &nbsp;All things that become important to me for only one reason.<br /><br />Because if it were all about me, I'd be hunkered down with my Trader's Joe box of wine in <a href="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/3481/compact-beach-chalet-by-studiomama.html" target="_blank">this beach chalet</a>.Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-13997761823914184022012-02-10T19:14:00.003-06:002012-02-10T19:14:50.677-06:00Confessions of a Relaxed Unschooler: Feb 10, 2012Friday, the kids gave a presentation on Charlemagne. &nbsp;As a family we have progressed through&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933339101/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=birthblessed&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1933339101">The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: The Middle Ages: From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance (Second Revised Edition) &nbsp;(Vol. 2) &nbsp;(Story of the World)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=birthblessed&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=1933339101" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />&nbsp;(with the accompanying activity book) and to tell the truth- &nbsp;we find the readings to be too short and uninformative. &nbsp;We are using it as a starting place. A guide, if you will. We wanted a guide through the middle ages, and it works for that. &nbsp;I have found that the additional reading suggestions given by the author have mostly been unavailable through our library system (unfindable) but we have found plenty of books on the subject matter- as well as videos.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn-4.nflximg.com/en_us/boxshots/gsd/70070244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://cdn-4.nflximg.com/en_us/boxshots/gsd/70070244.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>This week we watched The Dark Ages (on Netflix instant). It had been "a little boring" the first time we watched it but now that they'd read several more chapters of SOTW, the movie was more exciting- &nbsp;plus they counted up that they'd "gone ahead" four more chapters in the book. &nbsp;So we read the chapter on Charlemagne. This time I only made 1 photocopy of each of the activity sheets, so they wouldn't each have their own. &nbsp;Tuesday I needed to go to a meeting in the afternoon, so I handed them the activity sheets and suggested that they come up with some kind of presentation. Oral report. Puppet show. Art project. &nbsp;Whatever. <br /><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61I+4rCreNL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61I+4rCreNL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We also borrowed a video from the library, published by Schlessinger, The History of the Middle Ages. &nbsp;It was obviously produced for children. It gave a very clear "this is what we're going to talk about, here's what we're talking about, this is what we just talked about" approach, and focused on just a few main themes. &nbsp;It was useful as a visual synopsis of what we've been studying, but like SOTW, cannot stand alone for older students or very inquisitive students.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This week, as most, included plenty of Lego, dancing, drums, a trip to Crown Center, play with dolls, and Mango language software.<br /><br />Our readings take us to the Vikings next.<br /><br />Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-60526202208696988172012-01-10T14:08:00.000-06:002012-01-10T14:08:03.985-06:007 Kids: 7 times I slept when I supposed to be parenting my kids7. &nbsp;Snuggled into a bed with them all at naptime.<br /><br />6. &nbsp;In the front seat of the car with a story tape playing and them buckled into carseats listening, pulled over at a rest stop with doors locked.<br /><br />5. &nbsp;Reading aloud living history/historical fiction books from our homeschool curriculum.<br /><br />4. &nbsp;On a quilt in the backyard while they played in the sandbox.<br /><br />3. &nbsp;In the kids' bed while they cleaned their room.<br /><br />2. &nbsp;On the couch while they watched PBS.<br /><br />And....<br />&nbsp;1. &nbsp; On a blanket on the floor on top of blocks and cars while they climbed on top of me.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CM6Opx9HxAc" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />It's not Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, it's just having young children. &nbsp;Thankfully it's a self-limiting condition. <br /><br />This post was for<a href="http://mamadweeb.com/" target="_blank"> MamaDweeb</a>, who couldn't post today because she needed a nap.Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-40683757807832165932012-01-05T12:58:00.002-06:002012-01-05T13:36:38.418-06:002011 Wrap-Up<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7h86h-SxUxI/TwX7Y_M6NOI/AAAAAAAAAuU/X1SPigdr4qY/s1600/photo-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7h86h-SxUxI/TwX7Y_M6NOI/AAAAAAAAAuU/X1SPigdr4qY/s200/photo-8.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where I do my work.</td></tr></tbody></table>Some of my bloggy peers are posting their favorite, or most-commented, or most-viewed posts of the year. &nbsp;I am enjoying going back and re-reading many of these- some of these people challenge me, encourage me, entertain me, or just make me feel like one of their coffee buddies complete with warm fuzzies. <br /><div><br />Not that I think I can compete with those bloggers, here is a compilation of my top-read posts of each month:&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i><br /><i><b><br /></b></i><br /><i><b>January</b></i> <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/01/seven-kids-and-sex.html" target="_blank">Seven Kids and Sex</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;Be sure to check my comment for a bit of a postscript</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>February</i>&nbsp;</b><a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/02/bedtime-works-for-me.html" target="_blank">Bedtime Works for Me</a>&nbsp; Oh, that was nearly a year ago and I'm happy to say my girls still want carried to bed and tucked in.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>March</b></i>&nbsp; <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/03/seven-kids-mornings.html" target="_blank">Seven Kids Mornings</a>&nbsp;In this day of reality TV, apparently posts that detail how you spend each moment are still popular.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>April</b></i>&nbsp; <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/04/grocery-budgeting.html" target="_blank">Grocery Budgeting</a>&nbsp;the food co-op thing never did work out like I had hoped...</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>May</b></i>&nbsp; <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/05/lets-talk-teens-sex-and-gospel.html" target="_blank">Let's Talk Teens, Sex, and the Gospel</a>&nbsp;I promised to revisit the popular post of January- and this post was read even more. Just behind it, not quite tied but with more feedback, was <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/05/modesty-my-opinion.html" target="_blank">Modesty, My Opinion</a></div><div><br /></div><div><i style="font-weight: bold;">June</i>&nbsp;Top <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/06/seven-kids-top-7-listening-devices.html" target="_blank">7 Listening Devices</a>&nbsp;While you make your New Years' Resolutions, consider things in your life that keep you from really listening to your kids.</div><div><br /></div><div><i style="font-weight: bold;">July</i>&nbsp; I must have been feeling the hot August topics early- my two highest-viewed had nearly no comments. So why read and not comment? &nbsp;Afraid? Was I too outspoken? &nbsp;Those posts were <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/07/religiously-inspired-modesty-and-what.html" target="_blank">Religious Inspired Modesty&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;and &nbsp;<a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/07/spank-or-spank-not-but-dont-use.html" target="_blank">Spank or Spank Not, But Don't use Euphemisms</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><i style="font-weight: bold;">August</i>&nbsp;started hot right off, the first post got over 100 hits: <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/08/homeschool-chat-how-do-you-keep-from.html" target="_blank">How do you Keep from Going Crazy?</a>&nbsp; But then I saw later on, over 150 hits for <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/08/seven-kids-keep-house-visitor-ready-in.html" target="_blank">Keep the House Visitor Ready in 15 minutes a Day!</a>&nbsp; Apparently I never answered the questions about what steam cleaner I use- I haven't been able to find the model still available on the internet... but if I had to replace it, I'd get this one&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003PGQI3Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=birthblessed&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B003PGQI3Y">Wagner 915 1,500-Watt On-Demand Power Steamer and Cleaner</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=birthblessed&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B003PGQI3Y" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><div><br /></div><div><i style="font-weight: bold;">September &nbsp;</i>&nbsp;I'm always curious when a post gets twice as many hits as the others, but no one has commented.... <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/09/tantrums-in-3-year-old.html" target="_blank">Tantrums in the 3 Year Old</a>. Sometimes I get the feeling from young moms that I don't have any clue what I'm talking about- &nbsp;even though my college major was Human Development and Family Studies, I nannied and taught in daycares and churches for hundreds of kids over ten years before doing all that while concurrently raising seven of my own. &nbsp;But young moms just sort of stare through me because I don't parrot what they read in the books they have? &nbsp;Note: I read those books too, and threw them out.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><i style="font-weight: bold;">October</i>&nbsp; &nbsp;My idea to post our personal college visit reviews must have been good. I asked others to send in their reviews of their college visits so I could post more-- &nbsp;but no one has. &nbsp;Please? &nbsp;I can't visit all the colleges. &nbsp;The most viewed post this month was <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/10/william-jewell-college-liberty-mo.html" target="_blank">William Jewell College, Liberty, MO</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><i style="font-weight: bold;">November</i>&nbsp; <a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/11/seven-kids-7-beauty-basics-i-pass-on-to.html" target="_blank">Seven Beauty Basics I Pass to My Daughters&nbsp;</a>. &nbsp;By the way, I introduced my oldest daughter to Noxema because my grandmother used it and I used it as a teen. &nbsp;She loves it and has the same bright complexion I had as a teen. My grandmother had the softest, smoothest face. &nbsp;And the scent just makes me feel the comfort of being with grandmother.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>December</b>&nbsp; </i><a href="http://blog.birthblessed.com/2011/11/pizzas-are-veggies-and-7-other-ways-to.html" target="_blank">Pizzas are Veggies</a></div><div><br /></div>Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-59817980584355211962011-12-21T10:18:00.000-06:002011-12-21T10:18:12.784-06:00Should Christians do Santa, or not?<br />Some Christian groups are quite vocal this year for everyone to "put Christ in Christmas." &nbsp;They are offended by Santa Claus. &nbsp;Years ago I even heard people say that Santa is an anagram for Satan.<br /><br />There are blogs about removing all Santa from your holiday expressions. &nbsp;Oh, excuse me. I mean Christmas celebration.<br /><br />What I have found out is that neither choice - Santa or no- is more moral or right than the other.<br /><br />Refusing to "do" Santa did not make my older children any more holy and pure. &nbsp;While&nbsp;it made us more acceptable to fellow Christians,&nbsp;&nbsp;it did alienate us from some non-Christians. Most non-Christians didn't care, but they certainly were not more drawn to us or our faith.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage8.instagram.com/d2c6a0322bee11e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://distilleryimage8.instagram.com/d2c6a0322bee11e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lovingly hand-knit by Grannie</td></tr></tbody></table>Loosening up some of my religiosity and stepping into the social world outside has released me from all those rules that needed to be followed to make me acceptable to fellow church goers. &nbsp;My kids are no longer explaining to poor unsuspecting families that Santa isn't real and they need to only believe in Jesus, which by the way is a QUICK way to lose friends and influence people against church.<br /><br />So what now? &nbsp;Now we visit many different families, of all cultures and churches. We enjoy going to Christmas tree lightings and Santa parties with them. We even go to Hannukah parties. We haven't lost our faith. &nbsp;I tell you, if this "faith" in Jesus requires brainwashing then how is it faith?<br /><br />Santa will be bringing the kids' gifts this Christmas morning. &nbsp;We even transitioned from "playing a Santa game" in the "tradition of St. Nick" to just flat out telling the baby that Santa was bringing her gift. &nbsp;We have a lot of fun- all the children who never had Santa especially think it's a huge hoot to take the littles to see Santa, help them write letters to Santa, and just plunge into the wonder of it all.<br /><br />It's not like Christmas is even a particularly Christian holiday anyway- &nbsp;how exactly is it like Jesus to spend the month shopping, decorating with baubles and hoping for stuff? It's an American holiday, and America uses Santa in it.<br />Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-19953204717793506282011-12-09T17:29:00.001-06:002011-12-09T17:32:37.473-06:00Lu Ann's Candied Popcorn BallsYou have to try these. &nbsp;They've been a tradition at our house, from my mother-in-law.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_OHq4J6IdDs/TuKac-91gpI/AAAAAAAAAtg/Aly5AKR4_X4/s1600/photo+1-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_OHq4J6IdDs/TuKac-91gpI/AAAAAAAAAtg/Aly5AKR4_X4/s320/photo+1-6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="12" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 16pt;">Lu Ann’s Candied Popcorn Balls<u></u><u></u></span></u></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">½ c unpopped&nbsp;<b>popcorn</b>&nbsp;(10 c popped)<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">1 ½ c&nbsp;<b>salted peanuts</b>&nbsp;(0ptional, but add more popcorn if no nuts)<u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">1 c&nbsp;<b>light corn syrup</b><u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">½ c&nbsp;<b>sugar&nbsp;</b>(in the old days I used ¼ c honey instead)<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">1 3oz pkg&nbsp;<b>Jello</b>&nbsp;(your choice)<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">Pop the corn and toss it with the peanuts in a<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">LARGE BUTTERED BOWL</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">&nbsp;(margarine ok)<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">Combine corn syrup and sugar in a&nbsp;<b>saucepan</b>&nbsp;and bring to a boil.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">Remove from heat and add the pkg of dry Jello, stirring until dissolved.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">Drizzle syrup mixture over popcorn and mix well.<span>&nbsp;</span><u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">Let cool just until easy to handle.<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>With BUTTERED HANDS (you needs to rebutter between each ball you make), shape into balls.<span>&nbsp;</span><u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">Put on&nbsp;<b>waxed paper</b>&nbsp;til cool enough to wrap or stack.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">Makes 18 balls 2 ½ diameter.<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>115 cal each<u></u><u></u></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div></span></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-5148094142205642852011-12-07T07:00:00.000-06:002011-12-07T07:00:04.277-06:00Horrific Winter Hands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gCqmzXc_f2Y/Tt6px4IEbYI/AAAAAAAAAtY/GLmBfEYZLhA/s1600/photo-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gCqmzXc_f2Y/Tt6px4IEbYI/AAAAAAAAAtY/GLmBfEYZLhA/s320/photo-7.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Do your hands get horrible in the winter? &nbsp;Mine can. I think it's genetic. My man's hands are always soft. Never need lotion. I remember my grandfather would have little bits of tape on his fingers, covering up splits in the skin. He was always rubbing Camphor Ice onto his knuckles. Camphor Ice was always in my house- several in each room. Sadly Camphor Ice is a relic of the past.<br /><br />This year I have found a neat substitute! &nbsp;I learned (the hard way) some years ago that "expired" sunscreen does not protect you from sunburn. &nbsp;But I hate to throw away sunscreen. &nbsp;The waterproof stuff is just not a "lotion" you want to use if you don't have to... right?<br /><br />Enter the winter hands. &nbsp; Waterproof sunscreen may not protect us on a day at the beach- &nbsp;but it is a GREAT hand lotion in the winter. &nbsp;Mine is True Blue Spa from Bed, Bath and Beyond. It doesn't feel sticky and nasty, it actually feels kind of silky. &nbsp;But the best part is, it seems to protect my hands longer and better than any other hand lotion I've ever used in the winter.<br /><br />Plus, it is a great way to use up the summer's sunscreen instead of tossing it in the trash!<br /><br />Works for me!<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Linked up to WFMW at&nbsp;<a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/">http://wearethatfamily.com/</a>.</span>Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789095549483601237.post-79003291020150445082011-12-06T09:39:00.001-06:002011-12-06T10:03:05.976-06:00Public schools and high-stakes testing<br /><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Book Antiqua', 'Souvenir Lt BT', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My letter to the editor regarding the state of KCMO Schools:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bd0FDtdEp_Q/Tt45dd5eiNI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/8_Bbd0naksQ/s1600/Testing_Cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bd0FDtdEp_Q/Tt45dd5eiNI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/8_Bbd0naksQ/s320/Testing_Cartoon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Book Antiqua', 'Souvenir Lt BT', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The MAP test and other similar high stakes tests have done absolutely nothing to help children learn, and instead they tie teacher’s hands. MAP tests and state takeover undermine fundamentals of democracy (<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/the-complete-list-of-problems-with-high-stakes-standardized-tests/2011/10/31/gIQA7fNyaM_blog.html" target="_blank">Strauss</a>, “The complete list of problems with high-stakes standardized tests,” WashingtonPost.com,11/1/11.)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Book Antiqua', 'Souvenir Lt BT', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I wonder if James would fail the tests, like <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/when-an-adult-took-standardized-tests-forced-on-kids/2011/12/05/gIQApTDuUO_blog.html?fb_ref=NetworkNews" target="_blank">Strauss reports</a> in “When an adult took standardized tests forced on kids” at WashingtonPost.com, 12/5/11.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Book Antiqua', 'Souvenir Lt BT', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Homeschoolers know the truth- if you want parents to be accountable to their children’s education you must put the parents- not the Testing Industry or the state- in charge of the education. This means getting RID of the beaurocracy. Get RID of standardized curriculum. Get RID of red tape. Get RID of the tests.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Book Antiqua', 'Souvenir Lt BT', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Why do homeschools succeed where public schools fail? They take individuals into mind, not classrooms full of standardized children. Choices are made by people who intimately know the children. Parents pick from myriad curriculum or eschew curriculum and pick and choose individual learning resources.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Book Antiqua', 'Souvenir Lt BT', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">How can we apply this to our public schools? Let the teachers get to know the students and pick the curriculum that matches their teaching style and the children’s learning styles. Let the parents pick their schools and teachers according to what works best for their individual familes or even individual children. (For instance, I have 7 children who attended 3 different schools + homeschool last year, and this year 2 different schools + homeschool.)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Book Antiqua', 'Souvenir Lt BT', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">How do we know what children are learning? How do we know it’s “working”? Look at the children. Listen to the children. Just pay attention to the *people* rather than sheets of data. The results will speak for themselves. You know as well as anyone that as soon as the Spelling Bee or Geography Bee winners are announced, people say “Bet they’re homeschooled.” Colleges know~ that’s why the best colleges have admitted homeschoolers for decades and now actively recruit homeschoolers.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Book Antiqua', 'Souvenir Lt BT', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But homeschoolers as individuals sometimes lack, due to financial constraints, something public schools have– inspirational mentors and teachers, dedicated labs, dance teams, orchestras, math bowls, chess teams, debate teams, robotics and science clubs. My kids have eventually transitioned into public schools so that they have access to those things that require group participation that I could not afford to access through homeschool channels. In the states of Washington and Colorado, homeschooled students have the options of a hybridized education where the parents can enroll their students in individual academic classes and/or extracurricular activities but still homeschool for all the rest. Those parents have something MO parents should have.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Book Antiqua', 'Souvenir Lt BT', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I fully support public school as an ideology- but not the dinosaur of an institution built for an entirely different world. It was public school teachers that so inspired my own son that he is applying to colleges as an education major. I do think that KCMO Schools can learn from homeschooling- Very few homeschoolers submit their children to the high stakes, standardized tests, and even those that are required by law (in other states, not MO) to have their children tested, they do not “teach to the test” or choose curriculum that matches the test questions. My homeschool friends will even throw away the envelopes with the scores, without looking at them.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Book Antiqua', 'Souvenir Lt BT', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Test scores have so little to do with learning… that my opinion is that if you are going to allow testing in your school you may as well also put an Xbox in each classroom and publish the high scores kids get on them.</div>Birthblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14153536936015967711noreply@blogger.com0